Current Lab Members

Caitlin Martin-Wagar, PhD (she/her)

Dr. Caitlin Martin-Wagar is the director of LEDE, and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Montana. She received her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Akron. Her predoctoral internship was at the Minneapolis VA Healthcare System. Then, she completed a Postdoctoral Clinical-Research Associateship at the Yale School of Medicine in the Department of Psychiatry, where she conducted clinical-research within National Institute of Health-funded eating disorder clinical trials. Her research focuses on weight stigma and improving eating disorder treatments, especially through strengths-based interventions. Both her clinical work and research focus on families, children and adolescents, and adults, especially in the areas of disordered eating and trauma. Dr. Martin-Wagar’s work also aims to reduce the research-practice gap, so she often collaborates with clinical teams. Outside of work, she is often tending to plants, gardening, enjoying the rivers or in the mountains, playing board games and switch, reading, and spending time with loved ones.

Katelyn Melcher, MA (she/her, they/them)

Second year clinical psychology doctoral student

I grew up in Iowa and attended the University of Northern Iowa for my bachelor's in psychology. I then received my master's in clinical-counseling psychology from the University of Minnesota Duluth. I worked as a clinician and researcher before starting in the Clinical Psychology PhD program here at UMT. I am interested in eating disorders, health psychology, teaching medical professionals how to have conversations about mental health with patients, and making psychological science more accessible to everyone. In my free time, I enjoy running, hiking, reading, baking, and generally being active and outside. I'm excited to enjoy everything Montana has to offer during my time here!

Sarah Attaway (she/her/hers)

Second year clinical psychology doctoral student

Originally from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Sarah completed her B.A. at the University of South Florida. Her research interests include investigating how social comparison processes predict disordered eating behaviors, especially among sexual and racial minorities. Her hobbies include hiking, art, and spending time with her cats. 

Taylor Penwell (she/her/hers)

First year clinical psychology doctoral student

Taylor Penwell, B.A. is an incoming first-year doctoral student in the clinical psychology program at the University of Montana. Taylor received her Bachelor of Arts with Departmental Honors from Ohio University in 2019 where she majored in Psychology and minored in Biological Sciences. After receiving her bachelor's degree, Taylor worked as the Clinical Research Coordinator for The Renfrew Center and then a Research Coordinator at the University of Louisville's Eating Anxiety Treatment Lab and Louisville Center for Eating Disorders. Taylor is primarily interested in transdiagnostic factors (e.g., weight stigma, emotion regulation) that predict eating disorder treatment outcomes, relapse, and remission. In her free time, Taylor enjoys spending time with her dog, Roxxi, and her cat, Iggi, reading, and cooking.

Kate Bick (she/her/hers)

Undergraduate research assistant

I am a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Montana studying human biology and psychology. In my academic career, I am interested in women’s/gender-diverse healthcare research and l search focused on increasing equity and access to care. Moreover, I am interested in understanding how out individual genetics influence our biological responses to things like medications or traumatic events. I plan to pursue a career in medicine and intend to focus on women’s healthcare. I was born and raised in Montana and graduated high school in Bozeman. Outside of school and work, I love spending time with my dogs and cat and enjoy hiking and baking. I also enjoy spending time with friends and family on the river.

Taylor Amato (she/her/hers)

Graduate Research Assistant

Taylor Amato (she/her/hers) is a Master of Social Work student at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. After graduating with an accounting degree from Youngstown State University in 2016, she pursued a career in public accounting. Through her role as an auditor for not-for-profit organizations, she realized her passion for mental, physical, and nutritional health, combined with her life experiences, was pulling her toward the field of social work. Along with being a graduate student, she serves as the general manager of CycleBar Crocker Park, an indoor cycling and fitness studio, and is an ambassador for the Eating Disorder Coalition. After spending a few years competing in the bodybuilding industry, she realized the importance of conversations, treatment, and research regarding eating disorders. Taylor knew from that point forward she wanted to learn more about EDs and improve the lives of those impacted by disordered eating, especially those in marginalized populations. She is also pursuing a Trauma Informed Care certificate through Case to better understand how traumatic experiences, neural pathways, and peoples’ environments impact EDs. In addition to school and work, Taylor loves exploring new places to hike with her fiancée, Carlie, and their two dogs, Oakley and Kya. She also enjoys diving into a good book, coaching cycling classes at CycleBar, and spending quality time with her family.

Cecelia Nelson

Undergraduate Research Assistant

I am a second-year undergraduate student at the University of Montana and I’m studying Psychology! My academic goals involve the integration of nutrition and mental health, specifically in women. I am from Bend, Oregon and have a passion for skiing, hiking, yoga, and live music! My interest in nutrition ties with the topic of eating disorders and I am very curious about how body image is influenced by social media.

Kendall Bush (she/her)

Postbaccalaureate research assistant

Kendall earned her B.A. in Political Science and Criminal Justice Studies at the University of New Hampshire in 2023. During her undergraduate career, she presented and published an honors thesis on how anti-LGBTQ+ policy translates to violence against the queer community. She is interested in researching eating disorders and body dysmorphia in tandem with suicidality and PTSD. Her research will centralize underrepresented groups—specifically BIPOC and queer communities—with an emphasis on improving identity-based care. In her free time, Kendall enjoys bouldering, live music, snowboarding, and spending time with her cat, Korra.

Katie Donaldson (She/Her/Hers)

2nd Year Pharmacy School Student Research Assistant

I am in my second year of pharmacy school here at the University of Montana. Before moving to Missoula, I obtained my B.A in Health Sciences at Carroll College in Helena, MT. Along with being a pharmacy student, I am also an ambassador for the Eating Disorder Coalition for the state of Montana, which helped ignite my interest in pursuing eating disorder research. My goals for this research lab are to understand how medical professionals can communicate, recognize, and treat patients with eating disorders. I am also hoping to expand my knowledge on weight stigma. In my free time I enjoy reading, hiking, trail running, baking, and spending time outside with friends and family. 

Maddie Fowler (She/her)

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Hi! I am a second-year undergraduate student at the University of Montana majoring in Psychology. I am driven in this field by my academic and personal interest in the interconnectedness of the body and mind and the development of eating disorders, as well as human sexuality and LGBTQ+ Studies. I hope to continue my education and research in these areas and someday pursue a career in therapy. Beyond academics, I'm a creative soul! I find joy in art, songwriting, and playing guitar. I was born and raised in Montana, so naturally I have a love for the outdoors; some of my favorite things to do are hike, camp, and explore. I'm always eager to embrace new experiences and absolutely love to learn.

Keesha Cain (She/Her)

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Hello, my name is Keesha Cain and I have my B.A. in psychology. I'm fascinated by the interaction of food on mental health. My goal is to help individuals through their diet to live more fulfilling lives. I'm excited to learn more about the intricacies of eating disorders to gain a better understanding of how to help individuals with a complicated relationship with food. Outside of research, I enjoy yoga, reading, playing board games, and spending time with my husband and our sassy miniature Schnauzer.

Lab Alumni

Connor Thompson, B.S. (he/him)

Postbaccalaureate research assistant

Connor is now a Clinical Psychology PhD student at Western Michigan University

My interest in clinical psychology stems from the overarching idea that science, at the community level, can help people at the individual level. I received my B.S. in psychology from Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I moved to Missoula to broaden my research experiences in the clinical realm, as my past research experience has primarily been social in nature, but also to have better access to my hobbies and interests. Those interests are mountain biking, rock climbing, skiing, and trail running. My goals for my participation in this lab are to broaden my knowledge of clinical psychological research. Additionally, I hope to contribute to the expanding literature on eating disorders and weight stigma, and possibly explore how certain mindfulness practices may play a role in improving outcomes for those with eating disorders.

Gilly Millar (she/her/hers)

High school research assistant

Gilly is now an undergraduate at Cal Poly.

Hi! My name is Gilly Millar and I am a senior at Hellgate High School in Missoula. I am graduating this June as well as applying to colleges on the West Coast this fall. My interest in psychology and scientific research has brought me to the LEDE lab where I am learning something new every day, and I am very excited to apply this knowledge in my future. Outside of academics, I enjoy cycling, rafting, swimming in rivers and lakes, hiking alpine peaks around Missoula, playing my guitar, and spending lots of time with family and friends. 

Lillian King (they/them, she/her)

Undergraduate research assistant

Lillian is now a postbacc researcher at the National Institutes of Health.

Born and raised in Seattle, Lillian moved to Montana for school and is recently graduated from the University of Montana (Spring 2023). They majored in Psychology with a minor in math, and intend to go to graduate school for psychology after they complete their postbaccalaureate position at the National Institutes of Health. They began working with Dr. Martin-Wagar in her Laboratory for Eating Disorders and Equity at the start of 2022. Working in Dr. Martin-Wagar's lab has sparked Lillian's interest in researching eating disorders along with her previous interest in researching neurodivergence. She hopes to research how neurodivergence may impact the treatment and presentations of eating disorders and the lifetime impacts of neurodivergence. Outside of school Lillian enjoys reading, bad TV dramas, and perfecting the art of boxed brownies.

Hannes Heppner (he/him)

Graduate student in clinical psychology

Dr. Heppner is now on postdoc at University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine

Hannes Heppner is currently a sixth-year doctoral student at the University of Montana’s Clinical Psychology program on pre-doctoral internship at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He received his B.S. degree in Psychology from the University of Washington in Seattle. As an undergraduate, he worked with Dr. Kristen Lindgren studying how implicit associations are associated with alcohol use. Prior to coming to the University of Montana, Hannes received a M.S. degree in Clinical Psychology from the Steinbeis University in Berlin, Germany. He wrote his thesis on postoperative cognitive decline after heart surgery. Hannes subsequently worked at a geriatric hospital near Berlin as a psychotherapist, primarily conducting brief interventions and neuropsychological assessments. His current research interests include how humans regulate emotions and how this process is associated with cognitive functioning.

Gold Moua, B.S. (she/her)

Postbaccalaureate research assistant

Gold is now applying for medical school.

Gold is a postbaccalaureate at the University of Montana. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology at the University of Montana in 2022. As a postbaccalaureate, she is taking a semester of high-level biology and neuroscience curriculum, conducting research in eating disorders, and applying for medical school. Gold's hobbies are disc golfing, boxing, and videography.

Oscar Kronenberger, B.A. (he/him/his)

Postbaccalaureate research assistant

Oscar is now a graduate student in the Clinical Psychology PhD program at University of Texas-Southwestern.

Oscar Kronenberger, born and raised in Butte, Montana, graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Montana in 2021. His research interests encompass both clinical and positive psychology, with a particular focus on the use of evidence-based behavioral interventions to support physical and mental well-being across diverse cultural, clinical, and non-clinical populations. In his free time, Oscar enjoys hiking, running, spending time with friends and family, and practicing meditation.